Islamic body rules against terrorism

Indonesia's peak Islamic body has put a religious ban on terrorism and suicide bombings. The Indonesian Council of Ulemas issued a binding religious decree, or fatwa, on the attacks after its annual meeting on Tuesday.

After a day-long debate in Jakarta, it ruled that terrorism was unacceptable under any definition of jihad, or holy struggle, falling outside the teachings of the Koran.

"Terrorism is haram (forbidden), whether it is terror done by individuals, groups or states," the fatwa said.

But jihad was still acceptable for oppressed Muslims, and death by suicide was still allowable in war zones where the intention was to create fear and more loss of life for the enemies of Islam, the council ruled.

"It should not be done in a non-war place," the ruling said.

Indonesia's two largest Islamic groups, the moderate Nahdlatul Ulama and the Muhammadiyah, oppose plans to issue a fatwa.